Reviewed by Larissa

TITLE:  Ginger Snapping All the Way

AUTHOR:  Gabbi Grey

NARRATOR:  Michael Dean

PUBLISHER:  Self-published

LENGTH: 8 hours and 2 minutes

RELEASE DATE:  November 15, 2021

BLURB:

Maddox

I’m not a fan of Christmas. I’m happy to stay up in my mountain cabin and let the silly season pass me by. But when a friend asks for a favor, I can’t say no. Now I’m stuck in my cabin during a snowstorm, trapped with the most beautiful man I’ve ever met – who can’t wait to get away. He just might break my heart when he goes.

Ravi

I’m racing to get home for the birth of my goddaughter when mechanical troubles force my plane’s emergency landing. There are no beds at the inn due to a horrendous storm, but a friend says she knows a guy who won’t mind putting me up until the bad weather passes. Now I’m trapped with that man, and I must decide if I stay, hiding from the rest of the world, or go and face my past to earn a shot at my happily ever after.

This is a 72,000-word, hurt/comfort, lumberjack/nurse, grumpy/sunshine, forced-proximity MM romance novel with a moderate amount of angst.

REVIEW:

Ginger Snapping All the Way is another sweet holiday story full of Gabbi Grey writing goodness and brought to life in audio through the inimitable tones of Michael Dean.

It’s a snappy title (sorry I couldn’t resist 😂), but don’t let that fool you into thinking this is all light and fluffy holiday fare.  There’s plenty of hurt/comfort angst about some serious topics in this story, and an emotional journey for all involved, including the reader.  But the story gets us where we want to go – to a beautiful HEA for two broken men who find healing together.

Through a confluence of events, the most important of which is fickle Mother Nature, Ravi’s plane is grounded during a snowstorm at a small airport in British Columbia.  He’s stuck with nowhere to go and no place to stay.  Enter Maddox, his ginger, taciturn, grumpy lumberjack rescuer.  Maddox saves Ravi from his plight by picking him up and bringing him back to his reclusive, mountain cabin to stay for the night. 

Maddox keeps to himself for a reason.  His life irrevocably changed five years prior when he suffered a grievous work injury and then was dumped by his then-boyfriend.  The emotional damage from those events linger.  He can’t move on and has little to live for, other than his best friend, his dog Sofia. 

The story follows a tried and true formula: snow + forced proximity = revelations + giving in to attraction.  Indeed, Ravi and Maddox open up to each other – well, at least Maddox does – and end up in bed where they not only steam up the sheets, but fall for each other.

Note that reclusive Maddox is the one who opens up, not Ravi.  The irony is evident.  It also cues us into the fact that Ravi has a devastating secret of his own that he hasn’t come to terms with either.  Ultimately, the story unwraps the pain and grief that both men have hidden behind and they are able to help each other to heal and forgive.  It’s really a lovely story and I found both men to be endearing.  I did find it moved awfully fast, but that is usually the case in this type of forced proximity setup.  

Michael Dean’s narration on the audiobook is a delight to listen to, as always.  He brings life to the characters and the story.  His skill and intuitive ability to get in the characters’ heads and channel their emotions are crucial to a story like this.  He pulls it off effortlessly and flawlessly.

Ginger Snapping All the Way is an enjoyable listen with holiday spirit and heartwarming, hopeful vibes.  Mr. Dean’s narration augments the experience of Ms. Grey’s well-written story.  It’s an audio I definitely recommend.

RATING: 

BUY LINKS: 

Audible

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